Hong Kong Harbour
April 13th, memorable day to me[1] – very: Hong Kong harbour, 8:55 a.m., your time 12:55 a.m.
We left Swatou at 3:40 p.m. yesterday & arrived here at 6 this morning, & had to await the port doctor coming on board to examine the Chinese passengers as plague is bad at Amoy & Swatou. He has just visited us, so we are at this moment steaming towards this company’s mooring. I spent a very nice day yesterday with the Maclagans. He took me through the native town, very similar to Amoy but certainly in some places cleaner, tho’ the Chinese is the same Chinese all over, but Amoy has the reputation of being the dirtiest of cities, & verily it was dirty! I had tiffin with Maclagans, took a group of students & middle school lads, took Mr. & Mrs. Maclagan, & Dr. & Mrs. Lyall, on the steps of Maclagans’ house. We were sorry the moderator had not got back from the country to be included in the group & I only had 3 films left for Swatou altogether, so I got a shot in the town in the Merchants’ Guild Hall. Well, as chance had it, Mr. MacKenzie came home at 3 exactly & we met him in the compound. Fine old man & very happy they did welcome him back, & he was delighted I was there, & had been to Amoy, & fain would have me to stay a few days. We had afternoon tea with Mrs. Lyall there & then as the Hai-mun was to leave at 3:30, so I just made the most of the time sitting alongside Mr. MacKenzee & he wished me a happy journey.
[3:38]
Mrs. Liall was at West H’pool about 2 years ago, stayed with Lady Gray, addressed our Women’s Missionary Society, & remembers all well. She gave me a little parcel for Lady Gray & remembers her kindness while at W. H’pool, & I am to tell her so when I get home. All were very kind & sorry I had not come down from Amoy to spend the Sunday at Swatou. Well, I am pleased I have accomplished so much that has interest attached to it & will often speak of my visit to China. Hong Kong does look lovely this morning, beautiful bright sunshine & the place a perfect fairy land with a harbour & full of shipping. I shall go ashore very shortly where I hope to get good news from a far country. You will be all asleep just now. I oft look at your time & judge your movements. I know you will be speaking of my birthday[2] today when you get up, & wonder where & how I spend it. I’ve been the recipient of good wishes already from Mr. Roberts & his birthday is the 15th. I hope I may have his company to Australia. He will know when we get ashore whether he can have his furlough. One of the Australian steamers, the “Australian”, left the harbour this morning. There is a good service & I hope my return from Japan will just fit in. Now we are just mooring, 9:15, & as I have nothing more to say, will close by telling you Dr. Cahil’s son was chief mate in this company some years & they all know him well.
[3:39]
[1] William’s birthday and also his wedding day.
[2] William turned 51 years old in 1898.